Affordable Housing as 'Olympic Legacy'

"'This will be a long-term legacy,' [Premier Gordon] Campbell told workers assembled at the VANOC headquarters in Vancouver. 'There will be an Olympic legacy for all of B.C.' The units are expected to be available for use in late 2010, with the various communities taking care of water, plumbing, sewer and foundation work before the Games begin, so the post-Olympic requirements are minimal.

The move by Campbell is also aimed to please members of B.C.'s hinterland, who have argued that while all British Columbians will pay for the 2010 Olympics, Vancouver and Whistler are getting the lion's share of its windfall."

"VANOC CEO John Furlong said the $43.6-million cost of the housing project will be shared by VANOC, corporate sponsors RONA and Britco, a large private donation that will be made public at a later date, the province of B.C., and land donated by the participating communities, which were chosen when they demonstrated a need for such facilities."